Thursday, June 8, 2017

Keeping workers healthy in the workplace environment is a
goal of many companies.

It serves the
employees well to reap the benefits of good health especially when they are
able to use their vacation days for actual
vacation time and not sick days. It
serves business owners in the sense that when people feel well their job productivity
is increased.

Who doesn’t love a win-win arrangement? Companies across
America take initiatives to create a good atmosphere for their employees. It is
documented that there is a lower turnover of workers when a business owner
cares for their employees, strives to make the workplace agreeable and provides
good health benefits.

Having long-term employees is another win-win situation
because it offers workers:

Job security

Familiarity with coworkers

Pride in accomplishment

Intellectual stimulation

An income to invest in their
future

Finances to pursue their dreams

For the business owner the
win-win shows in:

Workers able to accomplish more

Workers better able to contribute
ideas leading to more productivity

More profitable teamwork projects

Less disruption in productivity
output

Less resources in constant
retraining new employees

More cooperative employer/employee
relationships

If your company wants to go the
extra mile, provide them with access to the best employee health benefits available
at Healthestimates.com, an agency that has a BBB top rating for excellent
service and works hard to offer savings that make a difference.

Here are some creative inspirations
you can incorporate in your company:

New Ideas – your employees understand your company in a way that is
different from yours. Tap into their insight for new product ideas, better ways
to do business, solve a problem, increase sales, or increase productivity. Offer a prize to the employee who offers the
best idea; gift baskets, diner gift certificates, kindle, iPad, etc. Think
about your employees to determine a gift that appeals to them. If you decide on
a “cash bonus” include a physical trinket (amusing stuffed animal, mug, picture
frame, etc) that will serve as a reminder of their accomplishment.

Perfect Attendance – this one is not announced. Recognize an
employee who has not missed work for an extended period of time (barring
vacation) with a simple card of appreciation and coffee gift card or similar. Appreciating
and noticing an employee’s extra efforts or faithfulness benefits all staff.

Weight Loss Challenge – this is an
optional participation in enjoyable competition. Everyone who wants to participate contributes
a token amount between $5 - $10 and the company kicks in a higher
contribution. (It’s more about the
activity than the money) Everyone is weighed in and documented. After a period
of 60 – 90 days there is another weigh in and the person who has lost the most
weight wins the “jackpot.” Getting everyone thinking about better health
rewards everyone. To add a little more thoughtfulness, keep a secret and
recognize second and third place winners with a token gift such as
a healthy meal cookbook, pedometer, or other small health related gift.

Gift Horse – A little pre-planning and
lots of fun. This can range from serious to silly, depending on your crew size and
their level of good ‘naturedness.’ You
get 12 identical small objects (toy figures or other item, about 2 inches tall, miniature
rubber ducks or frogs are easy to find) A nice touch would be if you could make
the object humorously work relevant. Number each one. Place them in odd,
inconspicuous places (corner of window sill, supply cabinet, lounge refrigerator,
etc) Send out memo or make announcement that there are several “toy ???” that
have been misplaced and if anyone finds them to please bring them to office. Each
toy’s number will correspond with a small gift. Gift items can be themed
(different types of candy bars), trinkets (scented candle, unusual snacks, handy
items). If done quarterly, you can have
coworkers conspire and add silly personal touches. For instance all gifts
consist of a Reese’s peanut butter cup and added contributed items such as “A
hug from Sarah” “A bowl of John’s
homemade chili” “Ruthies homemade cookies” “Eric’s favorite movie on DVD.”

All businesses
want loyal employees that take an interest in furthering the companies aim. A
business owner that creates a work environment that values employees will have
workers that value their job.

Tuesday, June 6, 2017

Discover the many ways that Aetna FundingAdvantage can help your business save

Tired of rising health care costs? Switching to a self-funded plan may be easier than you think. It’s time to consider Aetna Funding Advantage.

The Advantage opportunity

Self-funded plans are more stable. Monthly payments are based on the health trends of your employees. And when health care costs are lower than expected, you get back a percentage of your funds. Control your health care costs with Aetna Funding Advantage, a self-funded plan backed by the strength of Aetna.

Savings and much more

Not long ago self-funded plans were only considered by larger companies. Then Aetna designed their self-funded plan with your smaller business in mind. It’s time you enjoyed these savings:

•You could save up to 25 percent upfront
•You could save long-term with the surplus sharing benefit
•You could save on taxes and fees
•You could save time on health care tracking and reporting.

Thursday, March 2, 2017

Individual Health Insurance is Still Available for Those Who Qualify For Life Event Special Enrollment.

If you were unable to get health insurance due to changing life events or circumstances beyond your control, call us for immediate help. Work with local agents and avoid the problems of call service centers. Our personal service enables you to have contacts that stay familiar with you and your needs.

(708) 754-1221

Following is a description of eligible situations that you may fall under that may have become an obstacle in obtaining individual medical insurance. As circumstances are unique, if you do not see one related to you, feel free to contact us for a Free Review of your issue and assistance in obtaining the health care plan for you.

Losing eligibility for Medicare, Medicaid, or Children's Health Insurance Program

Turning 26 and losing coverage through a parent's medical plan

CHANGES IN HOUSEHOLD

Marriage or divorce

Having a baby or adopting a child

Losing coverage due to a family member's death

CHANGES IN RESIDENCE

Moving to a different zip code or county

Being a student moving to or from school

Seasonal worker moving to or from a work location

Moving to or from a shelter or transitional housing

OTHER QUALIFYING EVENTS

Becoming eligible for Medicaid

Becoming eligible for tax credits that will lower your premiums, if already on ACA plan

Gaining membership in a federally recognized tribe

Becoming a U.S. citizen

Leaving jail or prison

EXCEPTIONAL CIRCUMSTANCES

You faced a serious medical condition or natural disaster that kept you from enrolling

An unexpected hospitalization or temporary cognitive disability, or were otherwise incapacitated

A natural disaster such as an earthquake, massive flooding or hurricane

ENROLLMENT OR PLAN INFORMATION DISPLAY ERRORS

Misinformation, misrepresentation, misconduct or inaction of someone working in an official capacity to assist you in enrollment (ex: insurance company, navigator, certified application counselor, or agent/broker kept you from

Enrolling in a plan

Enrolling in the right plan

Getting the premium tax credit or cost-sharing reduction you were eligible for

A technical error occurred when you applied on HealthCare.gov

Your insurance company was prevented from receiving your enrollment information

The incorrect data was displayed at HealthCare.gov at the time you selected your health plan

Thursday, February 2, 2017

An insightful new small business insurance program offered by Farmers Insurance Sopko Agency helps businesses protect their investment. Take time to visit with an expert and learn how to acquire a business insurance policy that not only saves you money, but recognizes the best way to protect the business you have created.If your just starting out, give us a call and we can guide you through the process. We can help you recognize what type of insurance will protect you best and insure you meet all state and federal regulations necessary for your particular business.

Thursday, January 19, 2017

Get the most out of your homeowners insurance by understanding
what your policy actually covers. Free insurance reviews help you to ask the
pin- pointed questions that could make a big difference in your assumed coverage and actual coverage.

Can You Answer These Questions?

What is the top
dollar amount of coverage I have with my insurance policy?

Does my policy
cover the estimated worth of my home OR ACTUAL REPLACEMENT?

Will my policy
replace my belongings OR only a percentage?

If you cannot answer all three of these questions, it is
time to have your insurance reviewed. Have
your insurance reviewed with these questions in mind. Home is a wonderful place.

As we generally understand insurance, we can assume that
everything is covered. Often we do not
fully take the time to comprehend the details of our insurance policy. It is such a common thing to insure our homes
and vehicles; but often we do not ask questions. It may seem awkward or impertinent to us to
ask questions with “how much” or “what if” starting our sentences.

Relax, your agent does not see this as impertinence. Your
agent wants you to be informed and understand what your policy protects, this
is how he services you best. He is eager to have this appropriate conversation.

Often our lives are so busy that homeowners insurance is
something we purchase and then forget about it. However, this can be detrimental when the
need arises to use your insurance. Never have the “it can’t happen to me” idea;
that is human nature and everyone it happens to has to struggle through
disbelief.

Those who believe in prevention and protection, are able handle a
tragedy that affects the home better. Of course, no one ever feels it's smooth
sailing, but with all the proper things in place, getting through it is easier.

Consider having to replace your belongings inside your home.
As we own items they lose value over time. We invest in a bedroom set or our high end
television with all the electronic systems that go with it; it is important to protect
our investments. We need to be certain that our policy covers an actual replacement of the item and not a depreciated
value of it. Imagine only getting garage sale prices or lower for the items in your home. That is why it is important to
have these conversations.

Farmers Insurance Sopko Agency is offering Free Reviews for your homeowners
Insurance. Call today and make an appointment for your Review.
It’s a wonderful thing to be able to check this item off your list and have peace
of mind knowing you are protected in the way you expect to be.